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Four convicted in Keith Green murder case
08/12/2022
The investigation uncovered evidence of the planning that was put in place prior to the murder
Four people have been convicted in connection with the violent death of Keith Green in Banbury earlier this year.
A jury unanimously found Mark Meadows, aged 25, formerly of Rees Court, Banbury and Travis Gorton, aged 20, formerly of Well Bank, Hook Norton guilty of murder. They were also convicted of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Louise Grieve, aged 38, of Netting Street, Hook Norton, and a teenage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found not guilty of murder, but convicted of an alternative count of manslaughter.
A fifth person, Callum Johnson, aged 21, of Bretch Hill in Banbury, was acquitted of all charges against him.
The jury decision came at the end of a trial lasting eight weeks at Oxford Crown Court.
At just before midnight on February 13 this year, officers were called to a property in Howard Road following reports that Mr Green had been stabbed in the rear garden. He was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries and a murder investigation was launched.
Meadows and Gorton were arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the incident. Grieve, Johnson, and the teenage girl were arrested later following the discovery of evidence indicating their involvement.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Jon Capps of the Major Crime Unit said: “This was an horrific incident, which occurred just before midnight the day before St Valentine’s Day, 13 February.
“The investigation proved that Meadows and Gorton had attacked Keith, and that there was significant planning [by] them both for this murder to be carried out.
“As a result of the incident, we charged all five with murder by way of a joint enterprise.
“Although the jury acquitted Grieve, and the teenage girl of murder, they were satisfied that they had played some role in Keith’s death.
“Callum Johnson was found not guilty of all charges against him.
“Our investigation uncovered a plethora of evidence of the planning that was put in place prior to Keith’s murder.
“Keith could have had no idea what was to happen to him on that evening, he was stabbed to death at his home address, where he would have had every right to feel safe and secure.
“Keith was a loved family man, and his family have had to bear many months of trauma while we investigated the circumstances of his death and brought his killers to justice.
“Although only Meadows and Gorton were found guilty of murder, all those convicted will face significant prison sentences as a result of the part they played in the death of Keith.
“On behalf of my team, and Thames Valley Police, I would like to extend my condolences to Keith’s wider family and friends.
“They have shown tremendous character and resilience while we investigated the circumstances of this horrific murder, and I thank them for this.
“Thames Valley Police will never tolerate knife crime of any description, and we will actively pursue anybody who seeks to cause distress in our communities by using a knife.
“I know that no sentence that the court may pass will serve as solace for Keith’s family, but I hope that the fact we have brought his killers to justice will, in time, give them some comfort.”
Sentencing is due to take place provisionally on January 6, 2023.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam